hampered leaving stallls, mid-division, not clear run just over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression, weakened final furlong
towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to take 3rd inside final furlong, nearest finish
not much room soon after start, held up in rear, pushed along 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer
soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader, led over 2f out, clear 1f out, eased towards finish
bumped leaving stalls, mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, effort well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
went left start and led early, prominent, pushed along over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, not much room when weakening 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, no impression
always towards rear
tracked leaders, took keen hold, hung right from over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
bumped leaving stalls, held up in rear, not clear run on inside from over 2f out until inside final furlong, never able to challenge
Withdrawn
IMPERIAL DJAY is given another chance here ahead of King Of Eden and Bertbrand in a competitive handicap. Ruth Carr has her horses in rude health and this gelding has won two of his last four starts which is admirable after a very busy period. He handles quick ground and a testing finish so a bold bid is anticipated. Two Turtle Doves went close at Nottingham earlier in the month for this jockey, El Dececy has a little to prove at present but he has his ground and is nicely handicapped, whilst Future Gem's best efforts have come on slower ground. King Of Eden is consistent and his fourth to Top Bid last time out reads well; this stiff finish should see him go very close off a fair mark of 56. Optical Illusion beat Hansomis almost a year ago at Hamilton and is now just 1lb higher, Welcome Approach is as consistent as they come, whilst Elkhorn is better than he was able to show on his reappearance. Bertbrand was a distant second at Redcar earlier in the month which was a bounce back to form, while Fyodorovich was a solid fourth to Rough Rock at Yarmouth and that reads well in the context of this race. A really tricky puzzle where we will tentatively side with Imperial Djay.
Guest Connections 8-1 (8-9) Mid-division, driven and kept on final 2f, never on terms, 8th of 11, 8l behind Wyatt Earp (9-2) at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
El Dececy (USA) 14-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, weakened 2f out, 10th of 15, 13l behind Watch Amigo (9-3) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr.
Imperial Djay (IRE) 7-2fav (8-10) Held up, looking for room from over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 6l behind Spinning Ridge (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Two Turtle Doves (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Always prominent, led 4f out until 3f out, pressed winner after, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Fuzzy Cat (9-2) at Nottingham 6f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
King Of Eden (IRE) 4-1 (8-4) Mid-division, headway when not clear run over 1f out, edged left and running on when not clear run and snatched up towards finish, 4th of 15, 1 1/4l behind Top Bid (8-12) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Optical Illusion (USA) 10-1 (8-13) Held up, pushed along, headway over 2f out, ridden, hung left, no impression inside final furling, 5th of 11, 8l behind Azure Mist (9-6) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Oct.
Welcome Approach 9-2 (8-7) Went right start, towards rear, good headway when badly hampered on inside approaching final furlong, not recover, 7th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Radiator Rooney (8-10) at Bath 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Elkhorn 10-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 9th of 15, 14l behind Fuzzy Cat (9-2) at Nottingham 6f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Bertbrand 50-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, chased winner well over 1f out, soon ridden, outpaced final furlong, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Abbondanza (9-8) at Redcar 6f clm stks (6) gf.
Fyodorovich (USA) 7-1 (8-1) Steadied start, raced keenly, held up in rear, ridden and effort over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 4th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Rough Rock (8-11) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Avoncreek 33-1 (8-4) Pushed along towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 11l behind Short Cut (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Feb.
Future Gem 28-1 (8-12) Behind far side, outpaced 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 13, 20l behind Sir Geoffrey (9-1) at Ripon 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
